Two-way bulldozer

ABSTRACT

A two-way bulldozer blade is arranged in a conventional earth moving machine so as to be capable of being tipped forward or backward for the purpose of collecting, loosening, and dozing material such as dirt and rock. In the present invention, not only tipping of the blade forward or backward (i.e., &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;trimming&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;), but also change in blade angle (i.e., &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;angling&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;), is possible to enable a combination of two different kinds of actions. The machine is thus usable in a wide range of conditions. Blade-operating devices are mounted on the machine in a compact form.

United 1 States Patent 1191 Yoshizaki Dec. 10, 1974 1 TWO-WAY BULLDOZER 3,631,930 1/1972 Peterson 172/804 3,653,451 4 1972 F 172 804 [75] Inventor: HirohumI Yoshizaki, SagamIhara, 3,674,096 7;1972 3:? 1722305 Japan 3,690,386 9/1972 Magee 172/805 [73] Assignee: Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd., Tokyo,

Japan Primary ExaminerStephen C. Pellegrino Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Phillips, Moore, [22] Sept 1973 Weissenberger, Lempio & Strabala [21] Appl. No.: 394,123

[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application priority Data A two-way bulldozer blade is arrangedin a conven- Se t 8 1972 Ja an 47 89562 tional earth moving machine so as to be capable of p p being tipped forward or backward for the purpose of [52] U S 7 172/805 172/739 collecting, loosening, and dozing material such as dirt [5 I] 3/76 and rock. In the present invention, not only tipping of '[58] Field lllllllllllllllllllllllll pip the blade forward or backward (i.e1, trimming), but also change in blade angle. i.e., angling), is possible 172/739 739x708 37/42 to enable a combination of two different kinds of ac- [56] References Cited tions. The machine is thus usable in a wide range of conditions. Blade-operating devices are mounted on UNWED STATES PATENTS the machine in a compact form. 2,147,193 2/1939 Durz 172/739 3,234,669 2/1966 Kachnik et a1 172/739 x 4 Clalms, 1 Drawmg Flglll'es PATENTEL EEC] 01974 SHEET 10F 9 PAT'ENTEL 3 W974 swear 20F 9 PATENTE 13521 01914 SHEET 30F 9 PATENTEQ, SEC 1 W974 SHEET 5 BF 9 PATENTE' SEC 1 [H974 SHEET 8 BF 9 1 TWO-WAY BULLDOZER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an earth moving machine provided with blade-operating devices, and more particularly to an earth moving machine wherein the blade-operating'devices consist of a device to tip the blade forward or backward, and a device to change the blade angle.

An earth moving machine provided with a bladewhich may be tipped forward or backward, and which may be angled, may be adapted to a variety of uses. For example, it can be used in restricted spaces such as ships, buildings and tunnels, and results in an increase of operating efficiency. Construction machines which 7 include a blade assembly which may be tipped forward or backward (i.e., trimming have so far been provided. In Japanese Patent Publication No; 20503/72 two bulldozer blades arranged vertically are connected to each other by hinges, and the lower bulldozer blade is rendered slidable back and forth about the axis of the hinge.

In either forward or backward movement of the bulldozer, it is possible to provide the forward and rearward surfaces of the blade as curved for most efficient removal of earth. However, a device for changing the blade angle (i.e., angling), is not taught in Japanese Patent Publication No. 20503/72. The present invention relates to a practically workable angling device combined with a trimming device, and results in a universal blade capable of trimming and angling.

ln combining trimming and angling devices, the order of the arrangement thereof has been found to be a problem. For example, it would be quite difficult to provide an angling device on the machine of Japanese Patent Publication No. 20503/72 in which the trimming device has already been provided, because the blade thereof is in a connecting state with the push arm of the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a universal two-way bulldozer having an angling and trimming device and being usable in a variety of ways.

It is a further object of the presentinvention to obtain an efficient bulldozer workable in arestricted space.

It is-a still further object of the present invention to provide a bulldozer capable of preventing damage due to contact incidents by the provision of a blade control device in the machine.

Broadly stated, the invention is a bulldozer having a blade-operating device comprising a semi-elliptical frame pivotally connected to and extending from the sides of the bulldozer, and having an upwardly extendin g portion extending from the bulldozer, and a generally horizontal curved portion extending from the upwardly extending portion. Hydraulic cylinder means interconnect to the :upwardly extending portion and the front sides of the bulldozer for raisingand lowering the frame. A cylindrical member is disposed adjacent the forward end of the curved portion of the frame. A first bracket is fixed to the central upper face of the cylindrical member, and a hinge pin pivotally connects the forward end of the curved portion of the frame with the first bracket. Second and third brackets are fixed to the cylindrical member on either side of the first bracket.

A first pair of hydraulic cylinders are included, one end of one cylinder being pivotally connected to the second.

bracket and the other end being pivotally connected relative to the frame, one end of the other cylinder being connected tothe third bracketand the other end.

being pivotally connected relative to the frame. First and second pivot pins are rotatably associated with the opposite ends of the cylindrical member respectively. A rectangular blade is rotatably supported relative. to the cylindrical member by means of the first and second pivot pins and adapted to be disposed along the opposite ends and the lower portion of the cylindrical member. Further included are firstand second bowlike members, oneend of each bow-like member being secured to the back side of the blade. Further included are a second pair of hydraulic cylinders, one end of one cylinder being pivotally connected relative to the cylindrical member and the other end being pivotally connected to the extended end of one of the bow-like members, one end of the other cylinder being pivotally connected relative to the cylindrical member and the other end being pivotally connected to the extended end of the other bow like member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bulldozer incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bulldozer of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a frame and blade of the present invention; 7

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial side view showing the relationships betweenan angling cylinder and the blade;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of a back side of a blade partially broken away;

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the relationships between a trimming cylinder and the blade; and

FIG. l0 is a front view showing the whole of the blad and the structure associated'therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown a bulldozer including a tractor body 17, a crawler 30 and a track roller frame 31, provided with a frame 13. The frame I3 is of semielliptical configuration, and is pivotally connected to and extends from a hard bar 19, disposed inside the track roller frame 31. The semi-elliptical C-frame has anupwardly extending portion extending from the bulldozer, and a generally horizontal curved portion extending from the upwardly extending portion, as shown.

Hydraulic cylinders 18 are provided for raising and lowering the frame 13. One end of each hydraulic cylinder 18 is pivoted on bracket 32 fixed relative to tractor l7, and the other end is pivotally connected to a bracket 33 fixed to the upwardly extending portion of the frame 13.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, a bracket 9 is secured to the central upper face of a cylindrical ,member 4 which is disposed adjacent the forward .end of the curved portion of the frame 13. The curved tip of the frame 13 is vertically held between fix ing portions 9A of bracket 9.

The bracket 9 and the forward end of the curved portion of the frame 13 are pivotally connected by means of ahinge pin 10. A bracket 8 is fixed to cylindrical member 4. Two pin bosses 8', 8" are juxtaposed on bracket 8, and a pin 20 is inserted into pin boss 8". Further included are hydraulic cylinders 7, as shown. The tip of the piston rod of one hydraulic cylinder 7 is pivoted on pin 20. End 7A onthe hinge side of that hydraulic cylinder 7 is pivoted on spherical bearings of a bracket 6 fixed to the frame 13.

A pin 11 is inserted into pin boss 8. A support plate like linking member 12 is disposed between and pivotally connected to hinge pin and pin 11, and immediately under portion 9B.

As shown in FIG. 2, a bracket 8A is fixed to the cylindrical member 4. The brackets 8 and 8A are fixed to the cylindrical member 4 on either side of the bracket 9; The other hydraulic cylinder 7 is disposed in a posi-- tion symmetrical to the first-mentioned hydraulic cylinder 7. This latter hydraulic member 7 is pivotally se- 7 cured to the bracket 8A and to a bracket 6 fixed to the frame 13.

It will be seen that the cylindrical member 4 is movable over a relativey great arc, as shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 10 is shown a blade assembly. The blade assembly includes stationary and movable portions, the stationary portion being cylindrical member 4 shown in 7 brackets 8, 8A a pair of bow-like member 2 each have one end secured to the back side 38 of the blade 3. A second pair of hydraulic cylinders 1, l are further included. The hydraulic cylinder 1 has its body 1A fixed to shafts 1A which are-supported in bearing seat 5B, associated with bracket 5, and a semi-circular cover plate 5A of bracket 5 is fitted into the bearing seat 58, and the bracket and bearing seat are secured as with bolts. The cylinder 1' has the body 18 thereof associated with the bracket 5 in a similar manner through shaft 1B. These ends of the cylinders 1, l' are thus pivotally connected relative to the'brackets 5, 5 and the cylindrical member 4. The opposite, piston'rod ends forming the other ends of these hydraulic cylinders I,

lare pivotally connected to the extended ends 2A of the contact area between the bow-like members ;2 andthe back side 3B of blade is relatively large. Thebow-like members 2 are curved in shape along the curve of blade 3 so that contact of thebow-Iike members 2 with the cylindrical member 4 is avoided.

As shown'in FIGS. 7 and 9, the shoulder 3C comprises cylindrical member 4 secured to the upper end of blade 3. Blade 3 has front face 3A and back face 38 such that two way operations may be effected. These front and back sides 3A, 3B are curved, the sides of the blade 3 in section being downwardly convergent. Shoulder 3C has lids 14, l4, and partition 24. Between partition 24 and lid 14 is disposed pin boss 24', into which pin 15 is inserted. The tip of pin 15 is engaged with fixing member 25 and pin boss 25'- which are arranged in cylindrical member 4. That is, cylindrical member 4 is rotatable about the support axis of pin 15. The shoulder 36' and associated structure are of course similar.

Thus, blade 3 may be actuated by the hydraulic cylinders l, I mounted at both ends of cylindrical member 4 via bow-like member 2, and can rotate back and forth with its support axis determined by pins 15.

By actuation of hydraulic cylinders 18, frame 13 and blade 3 will be madeto move up and down.

Through the use of the hydraulic cylinders 7, angling cylindrical member 4 and blade 3 are effected.

Through the use of the hydraulic cylinders l, 1, trimming of the blade 3 may be effected. Blade 3 is thus subjected to three staged control.

The function and effect produced by the bulldozer of the present invention will 'nowbe described.

First, while bulldozing is being carried out with the blade 3 erect, the load on the blade 3 is taken by hinge pin 10 and hydraulic cylinders 7. Hydraulic cylinders are arranged such that they are in parallel with the center line of the frame 13 and can support the load of the blade 3. The angled or upwardly extending portion of the frame 13 enables the hydraulic cylinders 18 to raise and lower the blade 3, meanwhile utilizing a relatively short stroke of the cylinders 18.

In angling of the blade 3, the hydraulic cylinders 7 are utilized. For example, when a rod of one hydraulic cylinder 7 is extended, the cylindrical member 4 rotates about hinge pin 10. This rotation is transmitted to the rod of the hydraulic cylinder 1, the bow-like member 2, and the blade member 3 to angle the blade 3. In this way, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, theblade can tip an angle a forward and 5 backward and is freely displaceable between Y -Y or y -Y Support link 12 acts to prevent overload from being incurred on hinge pin 10 when vertical load is applied to the end of the blade 3 at the time of angling. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the point P (center of the pin 10 engaged with the frame 13), point Q (center of the pin 10 engaged with the support link 12) and point R (center of the pin 11 engaged with the support link 12) are located relative to one another so as to form a triangle. For this reason, load which might be incurred by only the hinge pin 10 is now' dispersed by way of the support link 12.

When trimming is carried out, the hydraulic cylinders l, 1' are actuated to apply force to bow-like members 2, to in turn pivot the blade 3 in that direction. As a result, blade 3- rotates as described above. The two hydraulic cylinders, 1, 1' are actuated at the same time. Accordingly, when extensions of hydraulic cylinders l, l' are undertaken ;to X X and X the edge at the lower end of the blade 3 moves to corresponding positions of X X and X as shown in FIG. 9. In such manner, two-way operations of the blade 3 can be instantly effected by the actuation of the hydraulic cylinders. Thus, the most effective operating angle of the blade with respect to forward or backward movements thereof may be obtained.

What is claimed is:

l. A bulldozer having a blade-operating device comprising:

a semi-elliptical frame pivotally connected to and extending from the sides of the bulldozer, and having .an upwardly extending portion extending from the bulldozer, and a generally horizontal curved portion extending from the upwardly extending portron;

hydraulic cylinder means interconnecting the upwardly extending portion and the front sides of the bulldozer for raising and lowering the frame;

a cylindrical member disposed adjacent the forward end of the curved portion of the frame;

a first bracket fixed to the central upper face of the cylindrical member;

a hinge pin pivotally connecting the forward end of the curved portion of the frame with the first bracket;

second and third brackets fixed to the cylindrical member on either side of the first bracket;

a first pair of hydraulic cylinders, one end of one cylinder being pivotally connected to the second bracket and the other end being pivotally connected relative to the frame, one end of the other cylinder being pivotally connected to the third bracket and the other end being pivotally connected relative to the frame;

first and second pivot pins rotatably associated with the opposite ends of the cylindrical member respectively;

a rectangular blade rotatably supported relative to the cylindrical member by-means of the first and second pivot pins and adapted to be disposed along the opposite ends and the lower portion of the cylindrical member;

.first and second bow-like members, one end of each bow-like member being secured to the back side of the blade;

a second pair of hydraulic cylinders, one end of one cylinder being pivotally connected relative to the cylindrical member and the other end being pivotally connected to the extended end of one of the bow-like members, one end of the other'cylinder being pivotally connected relative to the cylindrical member and the other end being pivotally connected to the extended end of the other bow-like member.

2. The bulldozer of claim 1 and further comprising a support link one end of which is pivotally connected to the hinge pin, and the other end of which is pivotally connected relative to one of the second and third brackets.

3. The bulldozer of claim 1 wherein the first and second pivot pins are disposed generally along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member, so that the blade is rotatable about such axis relative to the cylindrical member.

4. The bulldozer of claim 1 wherein the blade includes curved front and back sides, the sides of the blade in section being downwardly convergent.- 

1. A bulldozer having a blade-operating device comprising: a semi-elliptical frame pivotally connected to and extending from the sides of the bulldozer, and having an upwardly extending portion extending from the bulldozer, and a generally horizontal curved portion extending from the upwardly extending portion; hydraulic cylinder means interconnecting the upwardly extending portion and the front sides of the bulldozer for raising and lowering the frame; a cylindrical member disposed adjacent the forward end of the curved portion of the frame; a first bracket fixed to the central upper face of the cylindrical member; a hinge pin pivotally connecting the forward end of the curved portion of the frame with the first bracket; second and third brackets fixed to the cylindrical member on either side of the first bracket; a first pair of hydraUlic cylinders, one end of one cylinder being pivotally connected to the second bracket and the other end being pivotally connected relative to the frame, one end of the other cylinder being pivotally connected to the third bracket and the other end being pivotally connected relative to the frame; first and second pivot pins rotatably associated with the opposite ends of the cylindrical member respectively; a rectangular blade rotatably supported relative to the cylindrical member by means of the first and second pivot pins and adapted to be disposed along the opposite ends and the lower portion of the cylindrical member; first and second bow-like members, one end of each bow-like member being secured to the back side of the blade; a second pair of hydraulic cylinders, one end of one cylinder being pivotally connected relative to the cylindrical member and the other end being pivotally connected to the extended end of one of the bow-like members, one end of the other cylinder being pivotally connected relative to the cylindrical member and the other end being pivotally connected to the extended end of the other bow-like member.
 2. The bulldozer of claim 1 and further comprising a support link one end of which is pivotally connected to the hinge pin, and the other end of which is pivotally connected relative to one of the second and third brackets.
 3. The bulldozer of claim 1 wherein the first and second pivot pins are disposed generally along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member, so that the blade is rotatable about such axis relative to the cylindrical member.
 4. The bulldozer of claim 1 wherein the blade includes curved front and back sides, the sides of the blade in section being downwardly convergent. 